BBC has announced that it will release a version of its iPlayer that will allow content to be downloaded for the fairer platform by the end of the year.

"I hope this good news is evidence of the hard work that the BBC is committing to supporting other platforms," said BBC director general Mark Thompson. "Were we to choose to not develop any systems or services until they could be received by every single individual licence-fee payer, our capacity for development and innovation--in the interest of serving those who fund our services--would be severely limited."

In mid-December of last year, BBC began offering a highly-limited, web-only playback version of iPlayer for Mac users.

Editor's note: Clearly, announcing iPlayer with downloading nearly a year before it is to launch is an attempt to staunch criticism. That said, I've already filed a complaint with the broadcaster.

If enough of us make a stink, perhaps they'll move with a little more alacrity...